The program is titled "Food, integration and solidarity," and is sponsored by the Christian Associations of Italian Workers (ACLI), Rome Municipality and the Catholic Insurance Foundation. The high school chose eight students among those who showed interest in the program, following some volunteer training meetings. These students are the ones who, together with teachers from the school, will help tutor the 15 immigrants participating in the free cooking classes. Enrollment was limited and selection was based on knowledge of Italian and prior experience. The school's principal, Carla Parolari, said she was skeptical at first."When they proposed the program, it seemed truly difficult to make happen, but we really wanted to do it," she said. "We wanted to give our students a chance to meet other cultures." She said the idea to allow students to work as tutors was a good opportunity. "The students will guide those who are older than them in an experience that will lead them to a job: this gives them another point of view," she said. Integration through the dignity of work This project has a "strong educational value" according to Lidia Borzì, president of ACLI Rome and its provinces. "We formed an alliance between the school, the municipality and the associations to provide integration and begin a good project that may be spread further." The initiative aims "above all, to raise awareness about volunteering and social service among the students. The other step is to work on youth empowerment, holding them accountable, and finally, the topic of integration, which has to be shown through the lens of personal dignity." The main tool for integration, according to the programme's organisers, is a dignified job. "We're fighting a battle to help migrants gain professional skills. Giving these people a chance to learn Mediterranean cooking seemed to us a good way to improve their work situation," Borzì said. As part of the programme, on May 30 there will be an event with award-winning chefs, cooking demonstrations and the presentation of a cookbook of simple, traditional recipes from the migrants' countries of origin that the students will compile. "Cooking is a meeting place and a way to build relationships. A migrant who arrives in our country doesn't need to be assisted, but rather needs to take the route of active inclusion," Borzì said.

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